Railroad car



Sept.4, 1934. H, w. SANFORD RAILROAD CAR Filed Dec. 29, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

BY fi fiTToRl l Sept. 4, 1934. H. w. SANFORD RAILROAD CAR Filed Dec. 29, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H W \AINVENTOR. BY EEZA/ ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 4, 1934. H, w. SANFORD RAILROAD CAR Filed Dec. 29, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BY h ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 4, 1934.

H. w. SANFORD RAILROAD CAR Filed Dec. 29. 1930 5 sheets-sheet 5 i A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 31 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in railroad cars.

The object of the invention is to provide cars of the railroad type with doors that can be used for automatic closing and opening, or that can be lowered or raised by manually controlled mechanism.

At present, some railroads are using a most expensive cradle dump for handling railroad cars. The provision of an automatically controlled dumping car would dispense with this expensive mechanism. At the same time, it is desirable to provide for manual dumping of the car, in addition to the automatically controlled dumping, so that the car could be used according to the equipment of the user.

This invention provides for controlling the doors either by manual mechanism or by automatic means, according to the desires and equipment of the user.

In railroad cars, such as are illustrated in my prior patent, No. 1,268,390, of June 4, 1918, or the patents to Charles A. Griffith, No. 1,268,344, of June 4, 1918, and No. 1,602,015, of October 5, 1926, provision is made for the automatic control of a series of doors, but this type of car can only be used where the equipment of the user provides for such automatic control, and with the standard type of drop bottom railroad cars, it is often desirable to use them in many places where the automatic controlling equipment is not present.

It has heretofore been proposed to connect a series of doors together by a connecting link, controlled from a ratchet and chain device for manual operation, but this lacks provision for automatic control of the doors.

By the use of my present invention, the doors may be controlled either by automatic means or by rrfanual means, or both, according to the equipment of the user.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a standard type of drop bottom railroad car with the invention appied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the hoppers in the lower portion of the car;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a similar view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional 'view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a lower portion of the car showing a slight modification in the invention;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; I

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the car, showing a further modification of the invention; and

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a portion of a railroad track showing a cam member which may be used for automatically closing the doors.

The invention is shown in the drawings as applied to a standard type of drop bottom hopper car, in which the car sides are designated by the numeral 1, while 2 represents the side sills, 3 the draft sills, and 4 indicates the sloping ends of the body. The side sills 2 and draft sills 3 are shown as of channel formation, and there are shown two draft sills 3 spaced apart, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, with the space between them closed by a covering ridge 5.

The discharge hoppers are designated generally by the numeral 6, being formed in sections on both sides of the draft sills 3, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, since the draft sills extendthroughout the length of the car and these hoppers 6 form the bottom of the car.

Each of the hoppers 6 has at least one open side adapted to be closed by a sectional door 7a or 7b, one section covering. the open side of each section of the hopper 6. The lower end of each section of the doors, as designated by the numeral 8, is curved outward from the face thereof, overlapping the lower edge of the hopper when closed. Each of the door sections has hinge brackets 9 fixed thereto to be connected with hinge brackets 10 carried by and secured to' the under face of the/side sills 2 and draft sills 3, as shown in Fig. 5. A shaft 11 extends through the hinge brackets 9 and 10 and throughout the width of the car to pivotally support the doors '7 from the side and draft sills.

The sectional door 7a for the hopper at the rear end of the car is the key-door in the automatic control, since it controls the opening and closing of the other doors 7b. Thiskey-door has an angle bar 12 fixed thereto, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, while the other doors 7b of the series have corresponding angle bars 13 associated therewith, as shown.in Figs. 2 and 5, but these angle bars 13 are not fixed to the doors 7b.

These angle bars 12 and 13 extend throughout the width of both sections of each door. Suspended from the opposite ends of the shafts 11 for the second and third doors 7b are hangers 14, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the lower ends of which carry trunnions 15 fixed to the opposite ends of angle bars 13 to support these angle bars. The second and third doors 7b have channel bars 16 fixed thereto, and trunnions 17 are connected with these channel bars to receive the chains which may be used to manually control the action of the doors, as will be hereinafter described.

Side bars 18 are pivotally suspended by the links 14 on the trunnions 15, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and these side bars have their rear ends connected with trunnions l9 fixed to the angle bar 12 of the key-door 7a.

A shaft 20 is provided at therear end of the series of doors and has a' ratchet wheel 21 fixed thereto and regulated by a pawl 22. Chains 23 extend from the shaft 20 to the trunnions 19 and! intermediate portion of the bar 12 for manually controlling the release of the key-door 7a. Similar shafts 24 are provided for each of the secondary doors 7b and also having ratchet wheels 25 and pawls 26 to control the operation of the same. Chains 27 extend from the shafts 24 to trunnions 1'7 connected with channel bars 16for manually controlling the operation of the secondary doors 7b.

For automatically releasing the key-door 7a, or for holding the series of doors in place, said key-door is provided with a channel bar 28 carrying trunnions 29. Latches 30 pivoted on trunnions 31 are mounted in position to engage the trunnions 29 to hold the key-door 7a closed or for releasing the same. The latches 30 are shown as having weights 32 fixed thereto to counter-balance the same, to return them to their initial positions. The outer ends of the latches 30 are -turned outward as at 33 in position to engage cam members 34, shown in Fig. 1, to automatically release the key-door 7a and likewise the other doors 7b. I

In controlling the doors by the automatic means, the chains 27 may be disconnected from the doors 7b so that the opening of the doors is thencontrolled entirely from the latches 30. The chains 23 and ratchet device connected therewith may be used as additional security to the latches 30 to hold the key-door 7a. closed, but must be released before the doors would be automatically dropped. When the outturned ends 33' of the latches engage the cam members 34. this releases the key-door 7a and likewise releases the secondary doors, 7b, through the side bars 18, which act to release pressure on the angle bars 13. These side bars 18 normally act through the angle bars 13 to keep the secondary doors 7b closed, being released, however, by the release of the key-door 7a.

The connection of the angle bar 12 to the keydoor In causes a closing of the secondary doors 7b, automatically upon a closmgof the key-door, but either of the secondary doors may be closed without closing thekey-door since the angle bars 13 are disconnected from the secondary doors.

The series of doors may all be controlled by the ratchet mechanism on the shaft 20, acting through the chain 23 and the side bars 18, or the doors may be individually controlled by their separate chain and ratchet mechanisms. Where it is desired to provide entirely independent action of all of the doors by the chain and ratchet mechanisms, this may be accomplished by having 'nated generally by the numeral 35. member is disposed between the rails of the track thus causing all of the doors to be automatically closed on closing the key-door 7a. The locking of the key-door then causes the locking of all of the doors.

Where it is not desired to use the automatic mechanism or where cam devices are not present in the equipment for the operation of the same, the latches 30 may be rendered inoperative and the doors may then be regulated entirely by the ratchet mechanism either as a series or individually.

To automatically return the doors to a closed position, a cam member may be utilized, as shown, for instance, in my former Patent No. 1,268,390, of June 4, 1918, and which is shown in Fig. 12, in which the cam member is desig- This cam and engages the curved ends 8 of the doors to 'move these doors to a closed position, where they are latched by the latches 30, which are automatically returned into latching position after release. This cam member may be yieldably supported topermit the car door to pass over it when obstructed.

In the form of. the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the hangers 14 are omitted and the side bars. 18 are pivoted to brackets 36 extending between pairs of doors '7' and fixed thereto for positive operation of all of the doors of the series.

With this device, the closing of any one door of the series will positively close the other doors, since they are all positively connected together through the side bars-18'. When any one of the 1 doors are latched, the other doors cannot fall.

In Fig. 11, the doors are of the general type shown in my prior Patent No. 1,268,390, of June 4, 1918, being partially interconnected, as shown in said patent. There are five doors 3'7 shown, pivoted on trunnions 38, and the first and third doors have lips 39 for engaging under the edges of the next succeeding doors, for successive control thereof, as described in my said patent.

The second and third, and fourth and fifth doors of the series have bars 40 pivoted thereto for connecting these doors together for simultaneous action and to cause a closing of the second and third doors together, and, of the fourth and fifth doors together. A ratchet mechanism designated generally by the numeral 41 is provided for each of the first, second and fourth doors of the series, and is connected therewith through a chain 42, for manually controlling these doors, which causes a closing of the third and fifth doors upon a closing of the second and fourth. The key-door of the series has a trunnion 43 fixed thereto and is controlled by a latch 44, which extends to one side of the car in position to be actuated by a cam member, as described in my Patent No. 1,268,390, of June 4, 1918.

If desired, all of the doors of the series may be connected together by side bars instead of in the manner shown in Fig. 11, or other groups of doors may be connected together than that illustrated.

I claim:

1. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a plurality of doors, manually actuated controlling,

cally controlling the release ofthe doors arranged for simultaneous dropping of all of the doors.

2. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a plurality of doors, means connecting said doors together for responsive coordinate movement,

more doors, connecting said doors together for corresponding and responsive movement, manually actuated controlling means for separately closing each of the doors, and separate means for automatically controlling the release of the doors arranged. for simultaneous dropping of all of the doors.

4. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a first bottom door, one or more secondary bottom doors associated therewith, manually actuated means for controlling said doors, means cperatively connecting least two of the doors together for responsive movement, and automatic means connected with the first door for control ling the action of said first and secondary doors.

5, In a railroad car, the combination with a car body, and axles and wheels supporting said body, oi a first bottom door hinged at an edge, one or more secondary bottom doors associated with said first door in a series, each of said secondary doors being hinged at an edge, manually ctuated means for controlling said doors, means operatively connecting at least two of the doors together for corresponding responsive movement, and automatic means connected with the first door for automatically controlling the action of the first and secondary doors.

6. In a railroad car, the combination with a car body, axles and wheels supporting said body, of a first bottom door hinged at an edge, or more secondary bottom doors associated Wit first door in a series, each of said sec ondary doors being hinged at an edge, manually actuated means for individually controlling each of said doors, means operativeiy connecting said doors together for simultaneous movement in at least one direction, and automatic means con nected with the first door for automatically controlling the action of the first and secondary doors.

I. in a dumping vehicle, the combination of a first door, one or more secondary doors, a link opcratively connecting at least two of said together for simultaneous operation, and autoconnected with the first door for controlling said doors.

8. In a dumpin vehicle, the combination of a plurality of doors, means operatively connecting the doors together for simidtaneous movement in least one direction, automatic rneans ior regulating said doors, and manually actuated means for individually centre, 1g each of said doors.

9. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of plurality of doors, link means operatively connecting the doors together, automatic means for regulating the doors, and manually actuated means for individually controlling each of said doors.

' 1c. in a dumping vehicle, the combination or" a plurality of doors, link means operatively con necting the doors together for simultaneous operation in at least one direction, automatic means for regulating said doors, and manually actuated means for individually controlling each of said doors.

11. In a railroad car, the combination or" a first door, one or more secondary doors, a link operatively connecting at least two of said doors together, automatic means for regulating the doors, and manually actuated means for individually controlling each of said doors.

12. In a railroad car, the combination of a first door, one or more secondary doors, a link op-' eratively connecting at least two of said doors together for simultaneous operation, automatic.

connected with the first door. for controlling. said doors, and manually actuated means for dividua y controlling each'oi said doors.

1.3; In a rai road car adapted'to travel one track and having track engaging wheels, the corncination of a first door, one or more secondary doors, pivotal supports for said doors, a pivot fixedtosaid first door, and a link pivotally connected Wlth'Sfl-ld' pivot and having a pivotal connection with a secondary door for operating the said secondary doors to permit the secondarydoors to close Without the first door being closed simultaneously, and a link pivotally connected with the trunnion and bracket.

15. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a first door; one or more secondary doors, pivotal supports for said doors, a hanger having a pivotal support coincident with the pivotal support for one of said secondary doors, and a link pivoted to said first door and said hanger and having operative connection with the secondary door.

16. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a first door, one or more secondary doors associated therewith, pivotal supports for said doors, a hanger for each of said secondary doors and having a pivotal support coincident with the pivotal support for said door, means for operating the doors from the hangers, and a link pivoted to said first door and said hanger; l7. In'a dumping vehicle, the combination'o'f a first door, one or more secondary doors associated therewith, pivotal supports for said doors, hangers for" each of said secondary doors and having pivotal supports coincident with the pivotal support for said do a bar carried by the hangers for engaging and operating the door, and

links pivoted to the hangers and to the first door.

18. In a railroad car, the combination of a first door, one or more secondary doors associated therewith, pivotal supports for said doors, hangers for each of said secondary doors and having pivotal supports coincident with the pivotal support for said door, a bar carried by series of hinged drop doors, at least one of the doors being closable from its released position Without causing movement of the first door or" the series, and longitudinall movablemeans for the doors having lengthwise movement in response to movement of the first door of the series and having provision for simultaneously locking allv of the doors in closed position, the longitudh nal movement of said means in one direction causing a release or its locking action on all of the doors and by return movement in the opposite direction causing a closingof the first door and all other open doors of the series.

21. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a series of drop bottom hinged doors, at least one of said doors being closable from its released position without affecting the position of the door of the series, and longitudinally movable means having lengthwise movement in response to movement of the first door of the series for simultaneously looking all of the doors in closed positions, said means being constructed and arranged so that its endwise motion in one direction serves to release its locking action on all of the doors and uponits return movement in the opposite direction serves to close at least the first door and all of the other open doors.

22. In a railway car, the combination of a hopper lading body having a discharge portion, a series of drop doors hinged for closing the discharge portion, at least one of said doors being closable from a released position without actuating the first door of the series, and longitudinally movable means movable lengthwise by movement of the first door of the series for simultaneously looking all of the doors in closed positions, said means being constructed and arranged so that its endwise motion in one direction serves to release its locking action on all of the doors and upon its return movement in the opposite direc tion serves to close the first door and all of the other open doors of the series.

23. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a series of hinged drop doors, at least one of the doors being closable from its released position ithout causing movement of the first door of the series, and longitudinally'movable means for the doors positively connected with the first door of the series and movable thereby and having provision for locking all of the doors in closed position, the longitudinal movement of said means in one direction causing a release of its locking action on all of the doors and by return movement in the opposite direction'causing a closing of the first door and all other open doors of the series.

24. In a railway, the combination of a railway car having a plurality of doors hinged for swinging movement and the said doors being half-open when hanging'substantially vertically from their hinges, a power-operated longitudinal bar which by its endwise movement serves at least in part to close all the then open doors, and means for automatically effecting said endwise movement of the bar. 25. In a railway, the combination of a railway for automatically efiecting said endwise movement of the bar.

26. In a dumpingvehicle, the combination of a series of hinged drop doors, and side mechanism arranged in the same horizontal region as the doors, for holding the doors closed arranged in position to be released automatically by outside means and-constructed and ar "anged for releasing all the doors simultaneously and having manually' actuated means so constructed and arranged as to close all of the doors either simultaneously or independently.

27. In a dumping vehicle, the combination of a series of hinged drop doors, side mechanism ar ranged in the same horizontal region as the doors, for holding the doors closed and arranged p sition to be released automatically by outside means and having latching means which upon being unlatched releases all of the doors simultaneously and having manually actuated means so con-- 2.9. In a dumping vehicle, a body having a plurality of doors, pivots for the doors located above the free edges of the doors, longitudinally movable means located below the pivots connecting the doors together at points intermediate the pivots and the of said doors, said doors 7 being so disconnected as to permit closing of one or more of the doors independently of other of said doors.

30. In a railroad car, a body having a plurality of doors, pivots for the doors located above the free edges of the doors, a link located below the pivots and operatively connecting at least l-EVG adjacent doors together having operative engagement with the doors at points intermediate the pivots and the free edges of the doors, permitting closing of at least one door elative to other of said doors, and means for controlling the release of the doors.

31. In a railroad car, a body having a plurality of doors, pivots for the doors located above the free edges of the doors, and longitudinally roovable means located below the pivots being constructed for operative engagement with the doors intermediate the pivots and the free edges of the doors to hold the doors closed, being so disconnected from the doors as to permit ciosing of one or more of the doors independently of other of said doors.

HUGH W. SANFORD. 

